Meagan Good Keeps her Eyes on God and Uses her Acting Gift to Glorify Him (Gospel Light Minute #87)

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She is a star television and movie actress who began her career at four years old. She has appeared in numerous commercials, television shows, music videos, and major movies. She was cast in her first film, the 1995 hit “Friday”, at age thirteen. At age fifteen, her performance in the critically acclaimed 1997 film “Eve’s Bayou”, earned her her first NAACP Image Award nomination.

Since then, her film appearances include: Roll Bounce, Waist Deep, Stomp the Yard, Jumping the Broom, and Think Like a Man among many others. She currently stars in the lead role of the new NBC TV drama series “Deception.” One of the things that stands out in the show is that in the midst of all that “deception”, her character wears a cross around her neck. I believe that she does this to be a witness for Jesus Christ. And may I say with all due respect to her husband and without fear of successful contradiction, she is one of the most beautiful women in the world.

Although she was not raised in the church, she says that she is a Christian and that she will not do roles that she feels might disappoint God. She said in an interview, over the years, “I have learned that I need to really keep my eyes on the prize which is God and not worry so much about what other people think of me. And if I keep my eyes on the prize, people will think what they need to think of me, good or bad.”

Regarding the roles she plays, she said, “I think that, for me, it’s about portraying a character creatively and artistically as an actress. I believe that God has gifted me as an actress and intends for me to use that gift, but He also intends for me to use it to glorify him. So, if I’m playing the most perfect, religious girl, then nobody gets anything out of it. It’s like being a Christian and only hanging out in church. When I play a character, I try not to judge her because ultimately it’s about where she ends up and what she learns from the journey, no matter what happens along the journey. Does she become a better person?”

She reads her Bible “every day without fail” and is determined to continue growing in her faith. Married to a Hollywood movie executive who is also a preacher, she said that she is happy to have “a partner who shares the same heart for God that I have, who walks down the same road as I, and who wants the same things in life that I do. I’m also happy that I found someone who understands what I do for a living, and wants to use that as a tool to help glorify God….It’s just a blessing now that people are listening as I try to share the love of God and empower young women.” Her name is Meagan Good.

Mike Singletary says Having Jesus in his Life Helps him to be the Man, Husband, and Father that he Should Be (Gospel Light Minute #86)

He is a NFL football coach and former professional football player. He played college football for the Baylor Bears and was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 1981 NFL Draft. He was known as “The Heart of the Defense” for the Chicago Bears’ Monsters of the Midway in the mid-1980s. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

He later pursued a career as a coach. He served as linebacker coach for the Baltimore Ravens and then for the San Francisco 49ers where he was promoted to the head coaching position. Today, he is currently the linebacker coach and an assistant to the head coach for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.

Despite his tremendous success on the field, he found that he felt “empty” and unfulfilled. He said, “I had everything. And it was right after the Super Bowl that I realized that I was really, really empty. I had done all this stuff. I had made the Pro Bowl. I just signed a great contract. I was the MVP that year. I had just won the Super Bowl. But I was the emptiest and the most frustrated.” Although he was raised in a Christian home, the lifestyle of sports superstardom had overshadowed his faith, and he had come to a crossroads.

He said, “I just remember, one day, breaking down. I remember saying, ‘Lord, I’m supposed to be Your son, and You don’t talk to me or use me. You don’t do anything. I don’t understand this.’ In my spirit, I heard two things. One was ‘I want to use you, but there are some things that you gotta clean up first.’ The second thing that I had to do was forgive my father.” His father had divorced his mother and walked out on the family when he was 12 years old.

Once he chose to do that, he says, “Day by day, God began to take away some of the bad habits that I had. Had it not been for Jesus Christ in my life, I’m sure I’d be divorced. I’m sure that I’d know my kids from a distance.” Now an ordained minister, author and motivational speaker, he says, “There is nothing, absolutely nothing, that I would take in place of my faith. To me, Christ means everything. I know that He’s got my back no matter what I do. So that gives me all the freedom in the world to be the man that He’s called me to be.” His name is Mike Singletary.

Hadiya Pendleton’s “Inner Light” Was the Light of the World — Jesus Christ (Gospel Light Minute #85)

She was a bright, bubbly, beautiful and loving 15-year-old girl who worked hard in school and pushed her friends to succeed. She had her whole life in front of her and was full of purpose, promise, and potential. She had a smile that lit up every room she walked into. She was the type of child every parent would want, the type of student every teacher would love to have in their classroom, and the type of church member every pastor would desire to have in their pews. She was described as real, genuine, authentic, ‘more precious than rubies,’ and a ‘walking angel.’ She was energetic and loved music, the arts, and life. And she had an “inner light” that shined in her relationships with her friends and brightened the lives of so many others.

She was an honor student and a majorette in prep school and her goal was to go to Harvard University to study pharmacology and journalism. In the sixth grade, she made a public service announcement denouncing gang violence. She took part in basketball, volleyball, mentoring programs, and cheerleading. She loved visiting new places, and after traveling to Washington D.C., she had her eyes set on Paris, France. However, just eight days after she marched in the inaugural parade in front of President Obama, she was shot dead while talking with friends at a park in Chicago.

According to her biography printed in the funeral program, she “accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal saviour at Christian Covenant Baptist Church, where Reverend Silas is the pastor. As her family was guided by God’s divine providence they joined the Greater Deliverance Temple Church of Christ where Rev. Courtney Maxwell is the pastor, in October 2007. Furthermore, she gave her stewardship to ministry by being a member of the youth and teen ministry. She was involved in Greater Deliverance Temple Teen Praise Dance, worked in the church nursery, and brought her friends to church with her. Her mother said, “I’m not worried about where she’s going. I know who has her…I’m not worried about her soul. I know where she is.” As one pastor put it, “There is a new name written in glory.” Her name is Hadiya Pendleton and she will always be remembered as a “beautiful gift” to those who know and love her.

This is the “Chief of Sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International. The “inner light” that made Hadiya the happy, loving girl that she was is the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. Hadiya now rests in Heaven in the arms of her Saviour. I do not feel sorry for her; I envy her. If you have not given your life to Jesus Christ, if you are not sure that you will go to Heaven when you die, may I encourage you to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour today.

Colin Kaepernick: Glorifying God on the Gridiron (Gospel Light Minute #84)

He is the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. He played college football for the University of Nevada Wolf Pack where he was twice named the Western Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and the Most Valuable Player of the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl. In the 2011 NFL Draft the San Francisco 49ers selected him in the second round with the 36th overall pick.

He began his pro career as the 49ers’ backup quarterback to starter Alex Smith. In the middle of the 2012 season he filled in for an injured Smith and became the starter as the 49ers advanced to the NFL playoffs for the second straight season. He set an NFL record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in his first playoff game. After beating the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship, he led the 49ers to their first Super Bowl since the 1994 NFL season.

Playing football is a way for him to glorify the Lord. In an interview at Summit Christian Church in Sparks, Nevada, he said, “I don’t think most people look at football as a way to glorify the Lord. I think a lot of people think of it as ‘oh it’s a game, let’s go win.’ Ultimately, that’s your goal, but you also want to glorify the Lord on your way to doing that…My faith is the basis from where my game comes from. I’ve been very blessed to have the talent to play the game and be successful at it. I think God guides me through every day and helps me take the right steps and has helped me to get to where I’m at. When I step on the field, I always say a prayer, say I’m thankful to be able to wake up that morning and go out there and try to glorify the Lord with what I do on the field. I think if you go out and try to do that, no matter what happens, you can be happy about what you did.”

He has also drawn attention for the tattoos on his body. “Against All Odds,” is emblazoned across his chest. A version of Psalm 27:3 which reads, “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not be afraid”, can be read on his left shoulder. Those words are surrounded by: “God Will Guide Me.” On his right bicep is the word “Faith” and on his left bicep is “To God be the glory.”

Even though he has been criticized for his tattoos, he says, “I got them for me and to show people this is what I believe in. And God has brought me this far. He’s laid out a phenomenal path for me and I can do nothing but thank him.” His name is Colin Kaepernick.

Russell Wilson: ‘I Chose the Number Three for My Jersey to Honor the Holy Trinity’ (Gospel Light Minute #83)

He is the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was selected by the Seahawks in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football for the University of Wisconsin during the 2011 season, in which he set the single season FBS record for passing efficiency and led the team to a Big Ten title and the 2012 Rose Bowl. He received the Big Ten Quarterback of the Year award and was named a consensus first-team All-Big Ten and third-team All-American by Yahoo! Sports. Before transferring to Wisconsin, he played football and baseball for North Carolina State University and was named the ACC Rookie of the Year in football and became the first freshman quarterback to receive first team All-ACC honors.

He is a devout Christian who frequently speaks of his faith in press conferences and interviews and posts daily encouragement from the Bible on his Twitter feed. He said that he chose the number three for his Seahawks jersey as a way of honoring the Holy Trinity.

He grew up in a family where faith in God was the foundation of their lives. His family members and former athletic director at North Carolina State University all say that he is strong and sincere in his faith. This strong faith was molded and strengthened during a time when his father was suffering from complications from diabetes and had suffered several strokes. He said that during this time, “I think of the Lord being there and that there is a time and place for everything.”

The day after he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in June 2010, he, his mother, and his grandmother were called to the hospital for the final time. The doctors said his father was unresponsive. But after praying in the hallway, he says that they felt the Holy Spirit telling them to go in the hospital room. He went into the room and greeted his father for the last time. He said, “I walked in and I could see the EKG monitor. I said: ‘Hey, Dad, I’m here.’ As soon as I said that, the line went flat. That’s how I knew the Lord is real. I knew my dad heard me and he could hear everything I was telling him about how I got drafted. He was waiting for something great to happen. That’s how I knew he went in peace. He is here watching me right now.” His name is Russell Wilson.

Ray Lewis: ‘Loving God Completes You as a Man’ (Gospel Light Minute #82)

He is an linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He is considered to be one of the best linebackers of his era. He played college football for the University of Miami. He has played his entire professional career with the Ravens after they selected him as a first round draft pick in 1996, and he is the last player remaining from the Ravens’ inaugural season. He has been selected to 13 Pro Bowls and has been named an Associated Press All-Pro Player 10 times. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2000 and 2003. He was also the second linebacker to win the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award and the first linebacker to win the award on the winning Super Bowl team.

He is a follower of Jesus Christ, and his commitment to his faith was featured in a Sports Illustrated cover story in 2006. During an interview with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he said, “God is always God. It is only us that waver and go down wrong roads and do foolish things. And there are somethings in life that you have to deal with, and you have to go through some things to get to God.” He believes that Christians should be about sharing faith, hope and love in every arena of life, and says that his faith inspires him to pray, read the Bible with, and give advice and encouragement to younger players so that they won’t make the same mistakes he made.

During a recent game, he reminded his teammates that “No weapon formed against them shall prosper and that no man can stop what God can already destined.” His favorite scripture is Psalm 91 because it reminds him that “God is everything you need.” His love for God is evidenced in his charitable work providing personal and economic assistance to disadvantaged youth. He says, “to love God completes you as a man.”

His name is Ray Lewis.

Johnny “Football” Manziel ‘Trusts the Lord With All his Heart’ (Gospel Light Minute #81)

He is the quarterback for the Texas A&M Aggies. He became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, and the first freshman to win the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award. He played high school football in Kerrville, Texas. Recruited out of high school as a dual-threat quarterback with an impressive ability to extend plays, he plays in Kevin Sumlin’s Air Raid offense in Texas A&M’s first season in the SEC. Here he was given the name “Johnny Football” by fans and students for his unique improvisation and ability to make winning plays. He recently led his team to beat Oklahoma in the 2013 Cotton Bowl Classic.

In his Heisman acceptance speech, he said, “I thank God for allowing me to be here and for His grace and love throughout my life.” He thanked his parents for bringing him up in the church and for the faith that he holds dearly. He often quotes Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” He said, “I tell myself everyday that God has a plan for me. I’m here for a reason and whatever happens in the future is meant to happen for a reason. I always make sure to trust the Lord with all my heart.” His name is Johnny Manziel.

Adrian Peterson says he Finds Peace in his Relationship with Jesus Christ (Gospel Light Minute #80)

He is the NFL’s premier running back. He plays for the Minnesota Vikings and is its all-time leading rusher. He is a 4-time Pro Bowl front runner and one of the league’s most marketable players. In college, he set the NCAA freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards during the 2004 season. As a first-team All-American, he became the first freshman to finish as the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting, behind USC quarterback Matt Leinart.

After his first pro season, he was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and was then awarded the MVP award for his performance in the Pro Bowl. He became only the fifth player in NFL history to have more than 3,000 yards through his first two seasons. In 2010, he became the fifth fastest player to run for 5,000 yards, doing so in his 51st game. In 2012, he became the sixth fastest player to reach 8,000 rushing yards. Nicknamed A.D. for “All Day”, his football career success is carried by his tireless determination.

Born to two athletic parents, he was interested in sports from an early age. As a child, however, his life was not absent of pain and heartache. At 7, he watched his oldest brother die after being hit by a drunk driver while they were bike-riding. And while in high school, his dad, who was also his coach, went to jail on a drug charge. He credits his faith in God for sustaining him through those tough times and helping him to stay focused on his goals.

He says of his relationship with Jesus Christ: “Jesus Christ means the world to me. I’ve been through so many different situations through my childhood and now my adulthood…God just helped me get through them and made me stronger at a young age. (Through) all the adversity and hard times I’ve been through, God has always been present. I’ve always prayed to Him and asked Him to give me the strength to endure and to help others and to better understand whatever situation I deal with in my personal life. And He has always showed up! It brings hope and peace of mind knowing that God gave His only begotten Son for us. I’m able to look back and know that on Christmas day Jesus was born and gave us the opportunity to have eternal life. No matter how many flaws we have, our God is so forgiving and understanding. He’ll never leave you or forsake you. So that brings peace to me.” His name is Adrian Peterson.

Michael Franzese: A Mafia Boss Turns to the Messiah (Gospel Light Minute #79)

He is a former New York mobster with the Colombo crime family who was heavily involved in the gasoline tax rackets in the 1980s. In the mid-1980s, Fortune Magazine listed him as number 18 on its list of the “Fifty Most Wealthy and Powerful Mafia Bosses” According to a Federal report, he made more money for a crime family than anyone since Chicago boss Al Capone. As the former “Prince of the Mafia,” he faced dozens of grand jury appearances, three major racketeering indictments, five criminal trials, seven years in prison and a Mafia death sentence.

However, in 1987, while in prison, he made a decision to walk away from the Colombo family and organized crime. Crediting the prayers of his Christian wife, Cammy, her family, and her church, he left the world of crime and became a born again Christian. He said, “If it had not been for my wife’s prayers, I wouldn’t be alive. There’s no question that I’d either be dead or in prison for the rest of my life. And that’s not even a guess. That’s absolute.”

Today, he is a follower of Jesus Christ and a man on a mission. He often describes his very own Damascus Road experience, from his early days in the Mob and its rise to power to God leading him to do the unthinkable: quit the Mob and follow Jesus. Since his conversion, he has created a foundation called the Breaking Out Foundation to educate, empower, and equip youth to face life’s challenges.

He has become a motivational speaker to churches, corporate events, schools, and Christian conferences. And he shares his compelling story in two books, “Blood Covenant” and “The Good, the Bad, and the Forgiven”. His theme always hits home with audiences around the world: “You can’t escape the long arm of the law—and you sure can’t escape the longer arm of the Lord.” His name is Michael Franzese.

Ralph Winter: Keeping His Eyes on God in Hollywood (Gospel Light Minute #76)

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He is best known as the producer of such blockbusters as the “X-Men” trilogy, “The Planet of the Apes,” and “The Fantastic Four.” He also played a role in bringing “Star Trek” to the silver screen and has produced films such as “Left Behind,” “Thr3e,” and “The Visitation.” His films have collectively grossed over $2 billion.

As a young man, he worked in youth ministry and considered becoming a pastor. He also produced short films for mission trips and Vacation Bible School, as well as acted in several plays and musicals. However, a job opening at Paramount Pictures set him on the path to success in Hollywood. He is a member of the Directors Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He has also helped along such film schools as the Veracity Project and Biola University, and has lectured at Regent College in Vancouver.

When he is not working on location, he routinely teaches at Christian conferences and is involved with more than one ministry dedicated to furthering the communication between Hollywood and the religious community. As a devout Presbyterian, he has turned down producing movies that don’t promote positive values. He says of his role as a Christian in the movie industry: “I have been placed in this job for a purpose, and I am just trying to make great movies and keep my eyes on God. I don’t deserve any praise….It is definitely all God’s hand that I get to do this. And who knows how long this will last? He may choose someone else.” His name is Ralph Winter.

Sylvester Stallone: “Life is About Following Christ, Not Battling it Out Alone” (Gospel Light Minute #75)

He is an American actor, filmmaker, screenwriter and film director. He is best known for his machismo and Hollywood action roles. The most notable characters he has portrayed are boxer Rocky Balboa and soldier John Rambo. The franchises that stemmed from these characters solidified him as a mainstay in Hollywood. His film “Rocky” was inducted into the National Film Registry and its film props were placed in the Smithsonian Museum. He was voted into boxing’s Hall of Fame on December 7, 2010.

As a child, he used to attend church regularly, but as he got older and his acting career progressed, he stopped going to church. After several years of Hollywood fame and fortune, he says “I got back to my Christian roots. After my daughter was born ill in 1996, I turned myself over to the process of believing in Jesus. That conversion experience released me from the pressures of the world.”

He went on to say, “In the past, my ego and worldly temptations took over in my life and I went spiraling out of control. Rather than living like Rocky with some sense of ideal, I didn’t. I thought I was entitled to things but you’re not entitled to anything. You are what you leave behind. The more I go to church and the more I turn myself over to the process of believing in Jesus and listening to His Word and having Him guide my hand, I feel as though the pressure is off me now.” He said that the latest and final chapter in the ‘Rocky’ series, “reflects my conviction that life is about following Christ, not battling it out alone…You need to have the expertise and the guidance of someone else. You cannot train yourself. I feel the same way about Christianity and about what the church is: The church is the gym of the soul.” His name is Sylvester Stallone.

Michael Vick says he is ‘Determined to Leave his Life in God’s Hands’ (Gospel Light Minute #74)

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He is an NFL quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. After playing college football at Virginia Tech, he was drafted first overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft. He became the first African-American quarterback to be selected first overall in an NFL Draft. In six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, he gained wide popularity for his performance on the field, and led the Falcons to the playoffs twice. He ranks first among quarterbacks in career rushing yards. He has been selected to the Pro Bowl four times. He won the Ed Block Courage Award in 2009 and the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2010.

While growing up in a Virginia public housing project that was consumed with constant violence, poverty, and low finances, he often dreamed of playing sports. His father taught him and his brother the fundamentals of football and he often says that sports kept him off the streets during those difficult years. He excelled in football in high school, college, and in the NFL. In 2007, he was charged with funding and participating in an illegal dog fighting operation and was sentenced to 23 months in prison and three years probation. He was released from prison in 2009.

He became a Christian in high school in Virginia and began reading his Bible, but the more success he achieved on the football field, the less he thought he needed God. He said, “I was so self-centered, I forgot about the Lord.” However, after going to jail for dogfighting, he realized how much he needed the Lord back in his life. He said of that time, “”I got back to my roots. The only thing I could do in prison was fall back on God. I wanted to do things right, that I didn’t do the first time.” In the final months of his prison term, Tony Dungy stepped into his life and helped him put his life back together and restore his walk with God. He says, “I thought the transition [from prison to the NFL] would be easy, but it was hard for me. I did things I never thought I would do, like studying and working by myself. I stayed close to my faith, constant in prayer and close to Tony’s calls and texts.” He goes further to say, “I am determined to leave my life in God’s hands and leave the results up to Him. The main thing is I don’t want to disappoint God…God has blessed with a second chance and that is something I will value forever. I don’t want to let Him down.” His name is Michael Vick.

John H. Tyson: Bold Faith in the Workplace (Gospel Light Minute #73)

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He is a businessman in the United States. He is the grandson of Tyson Foods founder, John W. Tyson, and the son of business guru and ex-Tyson CEO Don Tyson. He was the CEO of Tyson Foods from 1999-2006 and currently serves as its chairman. He graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.

He says of his faith, ‘My mom and dad didn’t attend church, but I went to church. I was introduced to the Methodist Church by my granddad, John. He went to the First United Methodist Church of Springdale (Arkansas). I am a born-again Christian who believes that my values shouldn’t be pushed to the side when I enter Tyson’s doors. My faith is just an ongoing evolution, trying to understand what faith in the marketplace looks like, giving people permission to live their faith seven days a week. If people can talk about the football game on Monday, why can’t they talk about their faith?”

Faith also plays a large role in his company. It offers its employees chaplain services at plants across America. He said, “If people are saddened after the loss of a loved one or coping with a family emergency, these individuals are brought in to pray and assist those in need with coping.” One of the company’s “Core Values” is being a “faith-friendly” company. This commitment earned Tyson the 2007 International Spirit at Work Award from the International Center for Spirit at Work, an organization for companies that integrate spiritual values such as kindness, compassion, and integrity, into the workplace. Another “Core Value” maintains that Tyson Foods “strives to honor God and be respectful of each other, our customers, and other stakeholders.” Tyson Foods is also known for donating mass amounts of food to America’s poor. With a $2 million gift from the Tyson Family Foundation and Tyson Foods, he helped to establish the Tyson Center for Faith and Spirituality in the Workplace at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. His name is John H. Tyson.

Blair Underwood says he Doesn’t Have All the Answers, So he Turns Things Over to God (Gospel Light Minute #72)

He is an American television, film, and stage actor and director who is perhaps best known for his seven-year-long role as Jonathan Rollins from the NBC legal drama L.A. Law. He has gained critical acclaim throughout his career, receiving numerous Golden Globe Award nominations, three NAACP Image Awards, and one Grammy Award. He has starred in 27 movies and has appeared in 26 television series. He was voted as one of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” in 2000, and one of TV Guide ‘s “Most Influential Faces of the 90s”. He played the role of Jesus Christ in the Bible Experience audio Bible dramatization.

He says his relationship with God is “very much like a healthy, childlike connection to a father who is loving, who is giving, who is consistent, who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient.” When asked how he personally deals with the stress that comes with his career, he said, “the bigger issue is to go to your faith. What works for me is to know that all of this is preordained. I am a Christian. I believe God has a plan. I believe he is not going to leave us hanging. As a man, in our society, I don’t have all the answers. Being able to turn matters over to a higher power works for me.” He says his faith gives him the ability to say, “You know what? I’ll understand what I can understand, and then God will give me the direction to go where I need to go from there.” His name is Blair Underwood.

Jayson Williams: How he Learned What it Means to Hold On to God (Gospel Light Minute #69)

He is a former American professional basketball player. Standing 6 feet, 10 inches tall, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets of the NBA. He was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the first round as the 21st pick of the 1990 NBA Draft. He was traded to the New Jersey Nets for conditional draft choices in 1992. While with the Nets, he only earned 12 starts in his first three seasons with the team before finally earning a full-time starting position in the 1996–97 NBA season. In the following season, he had a career year, leading the league in offensive rebounds and offensive rebound percentage while also finishing the season in the top five in total rebounds, rebounds per game, total rebound percentage and offensive rating. He also received his first and only All-Star game selection, playing in the 1998 NBA All-Star Game.

After becoming a superstar basketball player and making millions of dollars in contracts and endorsements, his life took a drastic turn for the worst in 2002. He was charged with the shooting death of a chauffeur and in 2010, he pled guilty and served an 18 month prison sentence. Between that time, his wife filed for divorce. His best friend, his father, died. And he became involved with drugs and alcohol, which only made matters worse.

It wasn’t until he walked into his cell at Mid-State Correctional Facility when he quickly began to realize his need for Jesus Christ and he accepted Jesus Christ into his heart. Though he grew up in a Catholic family and he always went to church twice on Sundays, a personal relationship with God never entered his mind until he walked into his cell for the first time and saw the Bible turned to Proverbs 30:8-9 – “Remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches—feed me with the food allotted to me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God.”

He said, “I always knew the Lord, and he tried to deal with me so many times privately. wouldn’t listen, so he had to deal with me publicly. That bought me 26 months of isolation time with just me and Jesus Christ. That changed my life forever. After reading Proverbs 30:8-9, I knew exactly what it meant. My daddy used to say, ‘Jay, hold onto the railing of the stairs when you’re going up them.’ In life, when you’re walking up the stairs, you very rarely hold the rail, the rail being God. My dad told me, ‘You’ve got money, you’ve got gifts, you’ve got fame and you’re not holding on to God.’ Any time I thought I was doing something that was not God-like, I would just donate a lot of money to some charity or some cause, depending on how bad the sin was. It came to me while I was in prison that it wasn’t my money anyway. It was God’s money. I saw what God was trying to tell me. I told Him, ‘Don’t give me riches because I will deny you are Lord. Don’t give me poverty because I will steal and desecrate your holy name.’ That’s how I live now. When I wake up in the morning, I go wherever God leads me.” His name is Jayson Williams.